[shezbut]

I have been told that my GFR levels are significantly low for a person my age. It's not uncommon for a 70+ year old person, my Internal Medicine doctor stated, but it's very unusual for a person my age (about 45 y.o.). My GFR level is at 52. There isn't a nephrologist within the office, so I'm going to Mayo Clinic.

I took the news rather well, at the time. Didn't have any Q's ~ but I didn't have time to process what she was saying, either. Hours later, and my head is just obsessing over these fears that I have kidney disease and require some serious medical assistance.

Am I just being paranoid? How can I relax, my appointment with the nephrologist isn't until early December ~ That's a l-o-n-g time to spend worrying! Looking at the triggers (?) confuses me. I don't have diabetes. My blood pressure is in the low range. My good cholesterol is high, bad cholesterol is low. I am not a minority (who have genetic components that make them more susceptible). I do exercise regularly. I rarely ever drink soda, nor do I drink alcohol. I have always been on a low-sodium diet. I haven't smoked for 25 years.

Can anyone help me? Please??

[unaluna]

Do you take otc supplements? Are you drinking enough water? My mother stopped taking otc supplements and went on the kidney diet (lower protein and phosphorous; not too much milk or spinach) and her numbers improved. Which surprised even her doctor, cuz usually if you lose kidney function, you dont get it back, but she did, and she was almost 80 at the time.

[shezbut]

Originally Posted by unaluna

Do you take otc supplements? Are you drinking enough water? My mother stopped taking otc supplements and went on the kidney diet (lower protein and phosphorous; not too much milk or spinach) and her numbers improved. Which surprised even her doctor, cuz usually if you lose kidney function, you dont get it back, but she did, and she was almost 80 at the time.

All I drink is water, and a heck of a lot, daily. My doc did the test again, telling me to double my fluid intake for 24-hours. I did so, but the results didn't change. I do take calcium pills daily, as well as a bunch of prescriptions.

Thanks for writing back ~ awesome for your Mom!

[amandalouise]

no need to panic. yes low GFR shows kidneys not functioning up to par but many different things can cause low numbers... diet, exercise, salt/ caffeine intake, medications, drugs alcohol, amount of water intake,, health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stress... there are so many things that can affect how a persons kidneys work and why. my suggestion is just breath relax and follow what ever your treatment providers say to do. it might be as simple as dietary adjustments, beverages\water adjustments/medication changes\adjustments.

for me it was a matter of cutting out the caffeine, and salt that made my numbers go back to normal.